Design and creation of cytomedicine for application to cell therapy

Abstract

Cells, which are the basic unit of life, are the most intelligent particles on earth. Recent advances in life science research encourage the development of cell therapy utilizing specialized functions of highly differentiated cells, the self-renewal and differentiation abilities of stem cells, and signal networks among various types of cells. Although cell therapy including ex vivo gene therapy, cellular immunotherapy, and regenerative therapy is expected to become the next generation of medical care for intractable disorders, the establishment of technology to prepare cells as medical supplies, namely, cytomedicine, is essential for the assurance of efficacy and safety in cell therapy. This review introduces our approach to the design and creation of cytomedicine for application to cell therapy against diabetes mellitus and cancer. © 2005 The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan.